Dental Hygienist Education
Were you that kid that your mom never had to fight with to get to brush your teeth? You are a person that has always been particular about keeping your teeth clean, and making sure you brush three times a day. Well, a Dental Hygienist education is the perfect path for you. A Dental Hygienist’s job is to clean patient’s teeth, to teach them how to take care of their teeth, and to ensure that they know how to prevent cavities. Dental Hygienists also take x-rays, and depending on the state, may assist the Dentist by administering anesthesia before any surgical procedures.
Dental Hygienist Schools
Dental Hygienist Education Requirements
In order to begin your Dental Hygienist Education you must first have a high school diploma. Once you have been accepted into an accredited program, there are two routes you can take to complete your Dental Hygienist education. You can get a Certificate of Dental Hygiene or an Associate’s of Science in Dental Hygiene. The Certificate program usually takes about 2-3 years.
You will have to complete a set of core classes that consist of: Dental Hygiene Practice and Theory, Local Anesthesia, Dental Pharmacology, Oral and General Pathology, and Periodontology. These classes, combined with lab work, you can complete your Certificate of Dental Hygiene quickly. The associate’s degree program requires a list of core classes that consist of: Oral Biology, Community and Dental Health, Dental Materials, Nutrition in Dentistry, and Legal Responsibility in Dentistry.
These classes are also combined with clinicals. These undergraduate degrees for your Dental Hygienist education are all that is necessary to begin work as a Dental Hygienist, but you can also further your education with a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree as well.
Dental Hygienist Salary and Job Outlook
The job outlook for Dental Hygienists is remarkably good. Dental Hygiene is considered one of the fastest growing occupations in the country. With the constant population growth, and the amount of people aging, the need for dental hygiene is becoming increasingly important. Fresh out of school, you can expect to earn around $21 an hour. Once you gain a little experience, you can make around $32 an hour. The highest paid Dental Hygienists make about $44 an hour. As of 2009, the average earning of a Dental Hygienist was around $67,000 a year.
What to Expect After your Dental Hygiene Education
Once you have completed your Dental Hygienist education and received your license, you will be on your way to a very good career. Another good thing about the job of a Dental Hygienist is that the stress levels are low. Because the job requires a pretty steady routine, and the hours are usually flexile, it is not a stressful job to have. So, if you are looking for a career that is one of the fastest growing occupations in the country, s a good salary even right out of school, and is a career that will always be needed, then a Dental Hygiene education is the best route for you.